Key Highlights
- The FTSE 100 plunged over 87 points at the open, reflecting a broader global sell-off.
- Miners and banks led the decline in the FTSE 100, with precious metals miners and financial institutions experiencing significant losses.
- Cryptocurrencies also experienced a downturn, with Bitcoin reaching its lowest level in seven months.
- The UK competition watchdog launched enforcement actions against eight companies for misleading prices and illegal pressure selling online.
Market Overview: FTSE 100 Plummets Amid Global Sell-Off
The London Stock Exchange’s flagship index, the FTSE 100, saw a significant drop in early trading on November 18, 2025. The FTSE 100 opened with an initial loss of over 107 points before rebounding to fall by 87 points, marking a decline that brought the index back to levels seen three weeks prior.
Commodity and Sector-Specific Declines
The downturn in the FTSE 100 was largely driven by specific sectors. Miners, particularly those dealing with precious metals like gold and silver, experienced substantial losses. Companies such as Fresnillo and Endeavour saw drops of 6% and 3.7%, respectively.
Major mining conglomerates including Anglo American, Antofagasta, and Glencore also recorded over 3% decreases in their stock values. Financial institutions, represented by companies like Schroders, Barclays, and HSBC, as well as oil giants Shell and BP, were among the sectors experiencing significant weight on the FTSE 100.
Cryptocurrency Market Downturn
Bitcoin, one of the major cryptocurrencies, also faced a downturn. The digital currency saw its value plunge to its lowest point in seven months, dipping below $90,000 and maintaining a loss of approximately 5.2% over the past 24 hours.
Regulatory Developments: UK Competition Authority Takes Action
The UK’s competition watchdog, the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA), initiated enforcement actions against eight companies for engaging in misleading practices and illegal pressure selling online. The targeted firms include Viagogo, StubHub, AA driving schools, Marks Electrical Group PLC, Wayfair Inc., and others such as Appliances Direct and Gold’s Gym. This move comes under the new powers granted by the Digital Markets, Competition and Consumers Act passed into law last year.
Consumer Protection Initiatives
The CMA’s actions are part of a broader initiative to protect consumers from misleading prices and unfair practices online. The regulator has opened investigations into these eight companies for potential breaches such as drip pricing, misleading countdown timers, and default opt-in charges. Additionally, the CMA sent advisory letters to 100 firms across various sectors, including travel, ticketing, retail, fitness, and food delivery, warning them of potential violations.
Expert Analysis: Economic Concerns Fuel Market Uncertainty
The significant decline in major indices globally is attributed to economic concerns. According to market analyst Ipek Ozkardeskaya at Swissquote, the sell-off reflects investor unease about slowing economies and rising debt issues. Key indicators from Japan’s economy, China’s property crisis, weak consumer spending, and reduced shipments to the US contribute to this sentiment.
Despite these concerns, Ozkardeskaya notes that economic data does not automatically translate into poor investor sentiment.
She observes that while slowing fundamentals could spook risk appetite, other factors such as AI enthusiasm and government stimulus might mitigate some of the negative impacts on markets.
The FTSE 100’s performance serves as a reflection of global market dynamics, influenced by both domestic and international economic conditions. As investors continue to navigate this volatile landscape, regulatory actions and consumer protection measures are expected to play significant roles in shaping future market trends.
